A powder press for producing a metal powder compact comprises an upper punch arrangement and a lower punch arrangement (1) which accommodates the die arrangement (3) which forms the mold cavity (8) into which the metal powder is filled, whereupon the pressing process is carried out. The lower punch arrangement (1) is equipped with a plate (2) on which the die arrangement (3) is placed and to which plate (2) cross pressing devices (4) are fastened. Each cross pressing device (4) is equipped with a cross pressing punch (5) that can be linearly driven by a drive unit and that can be pressed into and retracted out of the mold cavity (8) in the cross pressing direction through an opening (6) in the die (7) which is essentially perpendicular to the pressing direction. The drive unit of each cross pressing device (4) comprises a linear drive unit with a fixed part fastened to the frame (18) of the cross pressing device (4) and a part which is linearly moveable relative to the fixed part, said linearly moveable part being connected to a first wedge (19) whose wedge surface (22) acts on the wedge surface (23) of a second wedge (24) that can be moved essentially perpendicularly to the first wedge (19) in the direction of cross pressing. This allows compacts to be produced which exhibit lateral holes, side impressions or side impressions and protrusions applied during the pressing process, whereby the forces produced in the cross pressing direction can be optimally absorbed.